97Return management plan

97 Return management plan

(1) The application must include a return management plan for managing the return or series of returns. (2) The plan must include the applicant’s arrangements and procedures for conducting the return or returns, including the following: (a) arrangements to ensure the safety of associated ground operations; (b) procedures for the recovery of a returned space object after landing; (c) contingency plans for recovery of a returned space object in difficult circumstances (such as when weather conditions are adverse, the signal from the object is lost or the location of the object is unknown). (3) The plan must include the following: (a) a timeline of the return or returns showing key events and decision points, including opportunities to abort a return; (b) for each opportunity to abort, the consequences of a decision to abort; (c) information on the equipment required for conducting the return or returns, including in the control centre and operations base; (d) information on the logistics for conducting the return or returns, including establishment of the operations base, vehicle support and communications support; (e) arrangements for reporting on the return or returns to the Minister; (f) arrangements to ensure that personnel who have duties or functions in connection with a return are properly prepared; (g) arrangements for responding to any problem encountered in conducting a return and for taking action to resolve it; (h) a statement identifying all hazardous ground operations associated with a return, and a description of the procedures to manage those operations; (i) communications arrangements for the return or returns, including the following: (i) return area communications; (ii) telemetry communications (including the radio frequencies to be used); (iii) emergency communications; (j) information on tracking requirements and procedures; (k) information on meteorological requirements for the return or returns and an advanced forecast for the return period; (l) the system to be used for: (i) making and keeping records in relation to the return or returns; and (ii) maintaining documentation relating to the return or returns. (m) the security arrangements for the return or returns, including both physical security and cybersecurity; (n) if a country other than Australia is a launching state for a space object being returned—a description of the licensing or approval arrangements of the country relevant to the object, including names and contact details of relevant regulatory authorities; (o) information on the personnel and equipment necessary to recover a returned space object safely, efficiently and in an environmentally responsible manner; (p) information on customs and quarantine clearance that will be required for a returned space object and the procedures for obtaining the required clearance; (q) the activities that will be undertaken once the object is recovered, including any disassembly activities and environmental clearance of the site.